Think of workplace productivity as a team sport, according to an article on FastCompany.com. This may be especially true at dealerships where you might be working in close proximity to your co-worker or interacting with the same co-workers many times throughout the day. That interaction, how they treat you and how you treat them, determines what gets accomplished each day.

The article's author, Aja Frost, says there’s a common misconception that we should follow the Golden Rule when it comes to interacting with co-workers. “Most of us know the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do to you. While the sentiment is right, this principle can steer you wrong at work. After all, it takes for granted that everyone has the same preferences and goals as you — which isn’t the case,” she says.

Instead, consider following the Platinum Rule: Do unto others as they would want done to them. This means you need to ask yourself, “Am I doing it this way or making this choice based on their work style or mine?"

This doesn’t mean you have to let go of what you want, but to look for a happy medium.  Here are 3 ways to do that:

1. Identify your deal-breakers.

What are the work habits or practices critical to your productivity and happiness? To define your dealbreakers, ask yourself:

• How do I like to send and receive information?
• Looking at the last few times I was frustrated with a team member, can I find any trends?
• When do I feel the most and least focused?

2. Identify your non-deal-breakers.

Once you’ve pinpointed the elements of your work style you’re relatively unwilling to modify or cut out, think about what you’re less tied to, Frost says. Those are the areas where you can learn to adapt to a co-worker’s preferences.

3. Develop compromises.

When working together on a project or problem, outline the steps you think need to be taken and how you suggest working together. Then, let your co-worker offer other ideas if your approach doesn’t work for them. Between the two solutions, be open to compromising, so the problem can be solved and the team can become more productive.

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